I love when there’s a high concentration of street art in one place, so you can walk for a bit and see a ton of murals. I recently explored Downtown Eugene, Oregon with my kids and a friend and we saw oodles of brand-new murals! In fact, since they were so close together, we put together a Eugene murals walk—and I made a map so you can literally follow in my footsteps!
![The stunning new murals in Eugene, Oregon - and where to find them. To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Things-to-do-Downtown-Eugene.jpg)
Eugene, Oregon recently commissioned a ton of new street art in anticipation of hosting the Olympics Trials in 2020. Throughout the city, improvements, parks projects and beautiful art installations are going up. That’s good news for everyone visiting Eugene, whether you’re there for the Olympic Trials or not.
The many murals in Downtown Eugene are one of the most visible and vibrant examples of these updates. Good news: You can see them all with my Eugene murals map, which takes you past all the street art in the center of this university town. Throughout the post, I’ll talk about murals and number them, so you can see what they correspond to on the murals map.
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![Eugene Murals Map: Where to find street art in Downtown Eugene, Oregon](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/eugene-mural-walk.png)
Download the mural map here:
Also in this post, you’ll read about and see photos of other examples of public art in Downtown Eugene.
Finally, I have some other recommendations, including a Downtown Eugene restaurant that’ll fill you up and satisfy your love of street art at the same time! As always, this post is family friendly for the folks visiting Eugene with kids.
![Things to do in Eugene, Oregon: A self-guided mural crawl! To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Street-art-in-Eugene-Oregon-1.jpg)
Whether you’re bringing along a crew or wandering Eugene solo, you definitely don’t want to miss these Downtown Eugene murals!
![Things to do Eugene, Oregon: A self-guided street art tour in Downtown Eugene. To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Downtown-Eugene-Oregon.png)
Start your Eugene mural walk: Hidden alley street art
If you’re visiting Eugene, Oregon on the weekend, good news: The main parking garage in Downtown Eugene is free! The parking garage on the northwest corner of 8th and Willamette is also your spot to start your Eugene mural walk.
If you park on the roof, like we did, you’ll see street art before you even hit the street! This parking garage has a handful of murals—look next to the elevators.
![street art in Eugene, OR / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/parking-garage-street-art.jpg)
From the parking garage, walk half a block north on Willamette to find your first mural. In the alley between 7th and 8th, Matt Small’s geometric portrait peeks out [#1 on my Eugene mural map]. This mural in Eugene is unlike most others: Instead of painting directly on a wall, this British artist used a combination of paint, wood and metal rivets to create his vision.
![Where to see street art in Eugene, Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eugene-Oregon-street-art-tour.jpg)
Next, cross the street back to the parking garage. On the southwest corner of 7th and Willamette, you’ll find a tall mural celebrating artist AIKO’s Japanese culture [#2 on my Eugene mural map].
If you’re thirsty already, this Eugene mural is directly next to the newly opened Manifest Beer Company. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m so excited Downtown Eugene now has a craft beer-focused brew pub. (Eugene is serious about its beer.)
![Eugene murals: Street art in Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eugene-Oregon-mural.jpg)
Next, walk south on Willamette. Just past Off the Waffle (a delicious and family friendly restaurant in Downtown Eugene), turn right into the alley. In the parking lot behind several bars, you’ll find two murals. One is a bird in flight [#3 on my Eugene mural map]. It reminds me of using pieces of masking tape to create the silhouette of an eagle. Unfortunately, a truck was parked right in front of it on the day we visited, but at least it color coordinated with the street art!
![This map shows you exactly where to find hidden murals in Eugene, Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eugene-alleys.jpg)
Directly across from the bird mural is one of my favorite street art spots in Eugene. What’s more, if you weren’t intentionally looking for this Eugene mural, you’d miss it, since it’s tucked away in an alley [#4 on my Eugene mural map]. Whenever we come to downtown Eugene we stop for a photo in front of this colorful, abstract mural. It reminds me of the futurism art movement, like a painting by Umberto Boccioni.
![My favorite mural in Eugene, OR, plus a whole bunch more! To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eugene-murals.jpg)
Your next leg of your Downtown Eugene street art tour
From here, continue south in the alley. Cross Broadway to find the next Eugene murals. This alley is like gold in terms of hidden street art treasure: It is home to four murals (though one is so small you might not spot it!).
First is the impressive, large scale mural by the duo behind Brazil’s Acidum Project [#5 on my Eugene mural map]. In fact, the mural is so big—and the alley so narrow—that it’s tough to step back and see it all at once (or photograph it all at once!). Instead, I found myself slowly walking along the alley, taking in the mural one bit at a time.
My kids, though, just wanted to see it at high speed: The alley is perfect for sprinting! Maybe they’re practicing for the 2020 Olympic Trials. 😉
![Street art in Eugene, OR (with a map!) To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/large-scale-street-art.jpg)
Continue along the alley to see several more murals, which aren’t noted on the most popular Eugene mural map. (They’re on mine, though!)
Opposite the Brazilian mural, you’ll find a large-scale portrait that 100% reminds me of a young Liza Minelli [#6 on my Eugene mural map]. I’m not sure if the artist was inspired by Liza’s early career, but I like to imagine so!
![Murals in Downtown Eugene, OR / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eugene-OR-murals.jpg)
Directly next to Liza/Not-Liza, I fell in love with this stenciled mural by French artist Blek le Rat [#7 on my Eugene mural map]. I’m a sucker for the black and white contrast of stenciled murals—they remind me of paintings my dad made long before I was born but that still hang in my parents’ house.
Maxine and I had a blast pretending to be dancers with this street art in Eugene. Don’t worry, we won’t quit our day jobs.
![Murals in Downtown Eugene, Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Downtown-Eugene-Oregon.jpg)
Finally, keep an eye near ankle-level for a small but odd mini-mural. I’m not going to tell you what or where it is—I want it to be a surprise!
At this point, Maxine needed to use a bathroom, so we stopped by the beautiful Eugene Public Library. This building also has restrooms accessible after the library closes, so it’s a good stop.
Level 10 travel tip: If you’re doing this Eugene mural crawl with kids, the Eugene Public Library has a gigantic checkers board in its children’s section. We had a ton of fun goofing off in here!
Just outside the library, you’ll find more public art. The statues sitting in front of the library’s entrance just begs for a photo.
![Public art in Eugene, Oregon: The many bronze statues are also great instagram spots! To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/statues-Eugene-Oregon.jpg)
(You’ll see plenty of other bronze statues of people in Downtown Eugene, Oregon. One of the most famous Eugenians, Ken Kesey, has his own statue—and plaza—nearby, next to the Eugene outpost of Voodoo Doughnuts.)
From the library, cross Olive Street to the Downtown Eugene bus station. First, you can’t miss the enormous, ambitious mural by artist Beau Stanton. It covers the entire back wall of historic McDonald Theater [#8 on my Eugene mural map]. Unfortunately, construction on the bus station mostly obscured the mural when we visited, so I didn’t get a great photo. I hope you’re better able to see this large-scale painting when you head to Eugene!
Right around the corner, you’ll find a mural that looks like a surreal barnyard scene or cock fight [#9 on my Eugene mural map]. Maxine and Edie were fascinated/bewildered by this piece, which reminds me of the art and literature of magical realism.
![Where to find street art in Eugene Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eugene-street-art.jpg)
Your final stops on the Downtown Eugene, Oregon street art tour
Walk through the Downtown Eugene bus station and turn right on 11th. If you’re hungry, grab a bite at Kiva, the alternative grocery store that’s been a Eugene favorite since bell bottoms were in style the first time.
In Kiva’s parking lot, it’s impossible to miss this three-part mural. It’s a bit ambiguous, but Max and Edie thought it depicted someone growing/sculpting a potted plant. I like murals that make you think. After all, the best street art is viewable as people go about their days shopping, commuting or running errands—and it makes people stop in their tracks. The best street art makes you notice beauty, or a challenging image, when you’d otherwise be distracted by the to-do list running through your brain.
![New murals in Eugene Oregon - Track Town USA / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20x21-mural-project.jpg)
Next, walk down Charnelton. Between 10th and Broadway, a Western-inspired scene takes up almost a block-long stretch of wall. This cowboy napping on his sleepy dog makes me think of a wide-open prairie, horses and the lowing of cows.
![Eugene, Oregon's newest murals get the city ready for the Olympics Trials / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/new-Eugene-mural.jpg)
Finally, continue down Charnelton. Just past the intersection with 8th Avenue, you’ll walk past a stunning portrait of an old woman. This up-close mural lovingly shows her deep wrinkles. I can’t help but wonder about the life she might have lived.
From here, you’re only a block away from the parking garage where we started. Either head out—or, if you’re hungry, check out some of my favorite restaurants in Eugene for those who love street art!
Eugene restaurants for street art fans
By now, you’ve worked up an appetite on your self-guided tour of Eugene murals. You could grab a bite to eat downtown, as there are plenty of great restaurants in the area. But if you want to continue the Eugene murals theme, you’ll want to eat at one of these restaurants:
1. Whirled Pies
You’re in luck: If you made it to the end of the Eugene murals walk, you’re right in front of Whirled Pies, a local pizza joint with a Eugene twist. This pizza restaurant is on the same block as the old woman mural.
This Eugene pizza restaurant serves the usual pizzas by the slice or whole pie, plus a few Eugene-themed specials (like the West Jefferson, which is topped by chicken and peanut sauce). I appreciated that Whirled Pies also sells gluten-free pizza, and it was delicious. No cardboard-tasting crust here!
Heads up that Whirled Pies has pizza happy hour every day from 3-5pm. Medium cheese slices are only $1 (!!), and they have beverage specials too.
Inside, you’ll see that most of this Eugene restaurant’s walls are covered in a lifelike mural. The mural imagines an outdoor dinner party with diverse guests, from a flute-playing hippie to a Native woman in fancy dress, plus musicians, dancers, kids and even a cougar!
![Where to eat in Eugene, Oregon: This restaurant's walls are covered in murals. To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Whirled-Pies-Eugene.jpg)
2. Cornbread Cafe
This vegan homestyle cooking restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants in Eugene, Oregon. I take my kids to Cornbread Cafe in part because of their terrific (and healthy) kids’ menu. I love all the vegetarian takes on diner food. (My fave: the Eugenewich on a gluten-free bun.)
And now there’s even more to appreciate at this vegan restaurant in Eugene, Oregon: A new mural of a little boy wading in the river has gone up in Cornbread Cafe’s parking lot! The mural looks a lot like a black and white photograph enlarged to take up an entire wall.
Go for the mural, stay for the vegan comfort food.
3. Falling Sky Brewing
If you’re looking for a brew pub that pays as much attention to its food as its beer, you’ve found it in Falling Sky Brewing. This Eugene brewery hand-crafts just about everything on its menu, from the dressings and fries to, of course, its beer.
Falling Sky has 42 taps of its own beer, and it’s constantly mixing up the rotation with new recipes. Plus, when it’s raining, you’ll get a 25 cent discount on your pint!
If it’s clear, though, sit outside on their back patio. And don’t leave without checking out the two murals next to Falling Sky, pictured below.
![Murals in Eugene, Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/murals-in-eugene.jpg)
![Where to see stunning murals in Eugene, Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://i0.wp.com/toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Street-Art-Eugene-Oregon.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Are you excited for this super-fun thing to do in Eugene? Explore hotels near these amazing murals:
Booking.comDiscover street art in Eugene, Oregon
Whether you live in Eugene, Oregon, you’re just passing through, or Track Town USA is a vacation destination, I hope this post on the city’s street art has inspired you!
Eugene is constantly changing, and the pace of reinvention has only increased in anticipation of the Olympic Trials. I’m excited to see what’s next in my hometown!
Enjoy this suggestion for things to do in Downtown Eugene. Look for me hanging around these Eugene murals—I’ll be there every chance I can get.
PS – If you’re in the area, you’ll want to take a peek at some of Oregon’s best day trips!
![A free map download shows you exactly where to find hidden murals in Eugene, Oregon / To & Fro Fam](https://i0.wp.com/toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eugene-Oregon-street-art.png?fit=502%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Take a mural crawl in Eugene, Oregon! This picture filled post also includes a map showing you exactly where to find street art. To & Fro Fam](https://i2.wp.com/toandfrofam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eugene-murals-map.png?fit=502%2C1024&ssl=1)
I have a confession… even though I’ve lived in Portland for 3 years, I still haven’t taken a trip to Eugene! Exploring Downtown Eugene on foot to see all the murals is the perfect activity between eating and drinking. I’ll definitely be referring to your mural map when I finally visit. 🙂
Oh my gosh! Eugene is 100% worth a trip. Hit me up if you want other recommendations! While you’re there, definitely go to Cornbread Cafe for some vegan comfort food!
What a cool post! I love all these murals.
Thank you Amanda! I love finding new street art.
So cool street art! Haven´t been to Oregon at all yet, but I would love to visit one day! I also like to stroll the streets and if there is some street art, even better! Thanks for sharing these art pieces!
I’m with you, Pia: I love to walk around cities, and I’m always on the hunt for great street art.
They’re beautiful! And how cute is your daughter
Aw thank you! My kids love looking for murals too!
I absolutely love wall murals and I am so happy that there is a mural map! When I visited Brussels, I used a map to look at all the comic mural walls and it was the highlight of my trip. Looking forward to visiting Eugene and exploring the walls of street art. (Reciprocated by Natasha Romero-Salas)
I’ve noticed most cities don’t have a street art map, which was why I wanted to make a mural map for Downtown Eugene. I’m totally curious about the street art in Brussels!
This looks like a very cool place. I really like the Japanese one!
Isn’t that mural stunning??!! Of all the new murals in Eugene, most are done by international artists. It gives Eugene, Oregon a much more international feel.
Honestly, I have never heard about Eugene before. But it sounds and looks like a fun place to visit! Love the murals 😍😍
Eugene, Oregon is best known for being a college town (the University of Oregon and the very fashionable football team) – but there’s a lot more to this little college town!
I never had Oregon down as a street art city, it looks incredible! It really reminds me of visiting the Wynwood Walls in Miami. I’ll have to check this out!
Jaz
Downtown Eugene, Oregon hasn’t always been a cool place to hang out, but the city has really revitalized this area in the last 10 years or so. I’ve never been to Miami but have heard about the street art scene there – definitely want to go!
Such beautiful art in Oregon! And what a great guide, it’s been on my list to visit so I’ll be saving this for later!
Oh I’m so excited my street art in Eugene post was helpful! Let me know if you have other questions or if I can give you some more tips to visit Oregon. 🙂
what a fabulous post! i never thought much of street art until i was in berlin but this is great. i love the drawing of the dancers.
Joy at The Joyous Living
Isn’t that one lovely? I need to work on some of my own dance moves, haha!
The Eugene murals are amazing! I’d love to do this walk.
I think so too! Thanks for reading, Kelly.
This is fantastic! That street art is amazing! What a great day out for everyone to go out and enjoy it. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hannah | https://getlost.blog/
We had such a fun time on our family street art walk in Eugene. We even stumbled across one I didn’t know was there! (the grey bird one in the alley)
These murals are beautiful – My favorite is the one with the dog! I love the interior of the restaurants as well. It’s so great that these artists are able to showcase their talent in such a unique way.
I 100% agree, Carryn. I love it when a city and businesses support artists and muralists by giving them the space (and the money) to express themselves on such a grand scale.
What an artistic street in Eugene Murals!It seems to walk in the fantasy! I love the art of CORNBREAD CAFE.It’s amazing to see!I wish i were there!Thanks for sharing and introducing this place and this great artwork.
You’re so welcome, Nigar! Cornbread Cafe in Eugene has beautiful murals AND delicious food. Thanks for reading about Eugene’s murals!
wow, this looks like a great place to visit! I hope to be able to check it out one day.
I hope you do too! There are also a lot of vegan restaurants, which would be right up your alley
These murals are so cool! I love street art and love Oregon, but I haven’t been to Eugene yet, but I’ve only heard good things about it! Loved your beautiful photos.
So glad you liked the post, Kelsey! Eugene is a great town to visit – hope you get to come check out the gorgeous street art there!
I spent a few days in Eugene last year and loved it! Such a great town with lots to do and all that wine surrounding it! Funnily enough, I did not get to see any murals so I will definitely check these out on my next trip!
A lot of these murals are new from within the last six months – Eugene is getting a makeover! And I totally hear you about all that wonderful wine country near Eugene. mm!
Those murals are totally awesome! We also have some street art in my city but they are not as beautiful as these ones. I wish we could visit Eugene in the future!
The street art in Eugene has totally become a new attraction to the city. I hope you get to make it here soon!
This wall street looks totally Amazing I’m a huge fan of art and I really want to this place someday! Awesome photos!
If you like art, you’d love these murals in Eugene. When you make it, be sure to also go to the Schnitzer art museum on the university campus.
Yyyyooooo….why are all these murals so “hidden” from the rest of the world? I follow art big time but I have never seen any of these around!
It might be because the murals are so new. Many of them have been added in the last 6 months. I’d love for you to share more about Eugene street art far and wide! It’s gorgeous – and definitely worth the attention.
I wouldn’t mind visiting Oregon. It’s nice to visit new places.
I hope you get to see Oregon soon – it’s a gorgeous state.
Such lovely murals. They remind me of the ones here in South Florida. You see similar designs in Miami.
I’ve heard of all the street art in Miami but have never been – I’d love to go check it out!
A lot of instagrammable spots you have here. i love arts and murals. your pics all look great!
cha @ littlemisadvencha.com
You’re so right – all these murals in Eugene are terrific spots for Instagram poses.
I just love exploring street art wherever I go. So if I ever make it to here, I’ll sure go and check it out.
Love the dancing couple. Very banksy looking 🙂
Thanks for sharing
I thought so too, Sarah! Banksy has made that stencil style of street art famous.
I want to try this Eugene Mural Walk. It sounds fun! Everything is a piece of art! Wow!
I think so too – all these murals in Eugene are just gorgeous. I love the trend toward more street art in cities!
Wow how fab is this walk. always nice to look and photo wall murals for sure x
Yep, a lot of these murals in Eugene are great Instagram spots, too!
This is so cool. Sounds like it would make a fun afternoon of street art and yummy food.
It definitely was a street art-filled day in Eugene! There are other new murals throughout the city I want to go check out, too.
Dang! We totally missed this about Eugene. We visited the city during a road trip a few years back and did not know about the street art scene!
Aw, you’ll have to check it out the next time you come! And honestly, a few years ago the street art in Eugene wasn’t all like this. The city has added a ton of murals in the last few years.
Such wonderful photo spots with the murals. Enjoyed reading the post and the background of each of the spot mentioned.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Mayuri! Eugene murals are so pretty – and are a terrific outdoor activity for social distancing. 🙂
What an awesome post! Such a good read. I have never been here but it looks amazing!
Thanks Kelsey! Eugene is a fun little city – lots to see and do there, including gorgeous murals!